31/01/2026
"Charbaita" - A Pashtun Folk Lyric
From the collection of Dr. Nawab Ashraf Khan Khattak
Lachi, Kohat, Pukhtunkhwa, Pakistan
زۀ. د تا د عشق غلام. یم
تا. سرہ۔. بیا ہمکلام۔ یم
I am but a slave, in love with Thee—
Come, sit by me, in sweet colloquy.
I am but a slave, in love with Thee—
Come, sit by me, in sweet colloquy.
Thou art the love my heart doth hold—
In Thy bright love, my soul unfolds.
---
Thou art the light of all the earth and sky,
Thou art the garden’s grace, raised high.
Thou art the longing for which my heart sighs—
If love for Thee should stain my name,
I am but a slave, in love with Thee.
---
Without Thy love, all passion is a dream,
A sorrow of the heart, a restless stream.
But love for Thee—my answer, still unseen—
If in that love I meet defeat,
Then sit by me, in solace sweet.
---
Thou art the cupbearer at Heaven’s fount so clear,
Thou art each mortal’s wish, most dear.
Thou art the beauty of the sea and shore,
Thou art love’s emblem, evermore.
Thou art the love my heart doth store.
---
Thou art my perfect moon, my fullest tide,
My heart’s reward, in Thee I hide.
The sky’s own star, on Heaven’s balcony,
Thus in serenity I dwell,
In Thy bright love, my soul doth swell.
---
For in my heart, my Beloved resides,
This love my faith, my truth abides.
Like the Call to Prayer in Muhammad’s name,
My pen flows free, untouched by blame,
And with Thee, my tongue speaks the same.
---
I am Ashraf, upon Thy path I stand,
O, to dwell forever in Thy rose-filled land,
To walk with Thee in meadows green and grand—
With reverence deep, I bow to Thee,
I am but a slave, in love with Thee.